REPORT OF DELIBERATIONS AT 2015 NIGERIAN BAPTIST CORPERS’ FELLOWSHIP FORUM AT BOWEN UNIVERSITY, IWO, OSUN STATE HELD FROM TUESDAY AUGUST 25TH – WEDNESDAY AUGUST 26TH, 2015.

REPORT OF DELIBERATIONS AT 2015 NIGERIAN BAPTIST CORPERS’ FELLOWSHIP FORUM AT BOWEN UNIVERSITY, IWO, OSUN STATE HELD FROM TUESDAY AUGUST 25TH – WEDNESDAY AUGUST 26TH, 2015.

• Communication and Networking were major issues that were dealt with as the expected numbers of corp members were not reach as some complained of not getting information about the meeting on time.
• It was observed that the problem arises because BCFs State executives who have passed out and did not passed across to the National Coordinators the names of new members and executives making it difficult to get in touch with the present crop of executives of BCFs and members in the various states
• Information on getting across to BSF Coordinators and their state of coverage was shared to those in attendance. A Facebook page www.facebook.com/bsf.champions was released which is an initiative of the BSF called Generation of Champions Networking which has the directory of BSF Coordinators, pastors, Baptist churches and details of NYSC Orientation Camps. The page it is learnt is also open to suggestions and comments.
• Bro Tosin Makinde requested for Directories of all Baptist Churches in Nigeria which will be passed across to corp members. Rev Mike owoade promised to get it across.
• All State BCFs must have official lines which will be a permanent one that will be used to pass across information to the members at all times rather than personal lines of the President or Secretary.

MOBILISATION OF NEW CORP MEMBERS

• On the issues of orientation camps; it was concluded that due to the fact that nobody is allowed to enter the camp for fellowship activities apart from NCCF, Catholic and MCAN, the fellowship should take advantage of the NCCF Sunday worship service during the orientation camp to reach new corp members. They can put on vest, wrist bands, and printed bulletins among other paraphilia that can show the Baptist Identity.
• It was agreed that regular contact and communication must be made to the corp members while they are in camp.
• Emphasis should not only be on Baptist members but also on anyone that is ready to identify with the fellowship
• They can be reached at Bus Park before the even get to the orientation camps.
• State and Zonal BSF Coordinators are to assist Corp members serving in their various states or zones in mobilising new corp members when the camp resumes and when it closes.
• A website should be created where information about BCF addresses and contact and latest information shall be posted
• The awareness about the vision and mission of BCF should be a continuous one.

BCF STRUCTURES

• The nomenclature for the fellowship is NGERIAN BAPTIST CORPERS’ FELLOWSHIP.
• It was agreed that for BCF lodges across the country only NYSC Khaki trousers can be allowed for the female corp members.
• Feeding for new corp members should not exceed 3 days after which they would be expected to start contributing financially.
• Corp members should develop cordial relationship with BSF members in their locations such as campuses and churches.
• Bulletins that will contain contact of personnel all over the country should be distributed to church pastors.
• Churches planted or started by BCF members should be referred to as Mission Churches.
• Financial Secretary should be separated from Treasurer
• Welfare can be separated from Vice-President
• Evangelism coordinator should be refer to as Mission Coordinator
• Officers of the fellowship can be separated from house executives.
• On the question of identity, it was concluded that the vision is that of God through the Convention in partnership with conferences and associations and churches.
• The adopted Hymnal shall be BH 430 – MUST I GO AND EMPTY HANDED while the BCF songs is been worked on. Fellowships are urged to submit lyrics for the BCF family songs.

 

ADOPTED BCF FAMILY HOUSE RULES

ü  The Baptist Corpers’ fellowship shall have a family house which may be initiated, catered for by the joint efforts of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, conferences, associations and churches.

ü  The Baptist Corpers’ Lodge must be at least 5 rooms accommodation which shall be shared between male and female members based on what is available

ü  The director of Logistics should be refer to as Landlord

ü  All executive members shall stay in the family lodge except in a situation here it is not possible or there is space or distance constrain.

ü  Each family house must observe a fasting and prayer day at least once every month.

ü  Executive must meet once in a week to pray for the fellowship

ü  The family house must be locked latest by 9:00pm

ü  All members must participate in Morning and Evening devotion

ü  It is compulsory for all member to pay their dues as at when due.

ü  Dressing should be moderate and descent.

ü  It is compulsory for all members to attend all the weekly and monthly meetings of the Baptist Churches they are attending.

ü  No separate cooking is allowed within or outside the lodge.

ü  No smoking and use of alcoholic drink is permitted for consumption within or outside the lodge

ü  The president or any members of the executive should be inform of any members that is travelling or would be absent from fellowship activities due to one reason or another.

ü  No form of immorality is allowed in the lodge including vices such as fighting and stealing.

ü  There should be brotherly love in the house

ü  A room shall be used as secretariat as well as a prayer and visitors room (subject to availability).

ü  No member of the house is permitted to be involved in any marital relationship without the express authorisation from the marriage committee of the fellowship. There shall be modification to the content of this particular rule as contained in the constitution.

ü  The fellowship shall have a Patron, matron, adviser and a coordinator

ü  The Guiding Biblical principle of the fellowship is “we are not afraid of the Gospel…. Romans 1:16

 

OTHER DELIBERATIONS

• In response to questions and complains raised by the Corp members, Revd. Ibukunoluwa, the National BSF Coordinator encouraged the corp members not to be tired or weary realising that this is an emerging and developing ministry which would take time before the churches, conferences and association can buy fully into.
• Revd. Dr. S.A.K. Olaleye informed the corp members that if there is any specific request they want the convention through the office of the youth and student ministry to make for any of the states to the conferences or association, they should let him know.
• He promised that as much as they can do, he will try to ensure that the awareness needed for the fellowship to be recognise by the convention leaders will be carried out which he said he is already doing at the pastors meeting, ministerial officers meetings and even during convention executives meetings.
• On the issues of states BCFs whose accommodation rents are about to expire, the conference will assist in writing letter of support to churches and conferences to support the fellowship in raising the funds for the accommodation.
• He also informed them that the convention has it as a vision to build Baptist Corpers' lodge in all the conferences but if that will happened it will also means corers' lodge will be needed in all zones as well for the objectives of corpers' lodge to be accomplished but promised that it is a vision the convention has in heart.
• He explained that the acceptance of the ministry of Baptist Corpers fellowship will be a gradual one and urged all present to see themselves as pioneers of a a new ministry for the convention which they will be proud of in years to comes believing that those coming after them will not pass through what they are presently passing through in putting the structure together.